Two in three smokers will die from their habit

25 February 2015

New research published in international journal BMC Medicine has found that two in three – or up to 1.8 million of 2.7 million – smokers in Australia will die as a result of their habit if they continue to smoke.

The research is a result of a four-year analysis of health outcomes for over 200,000 men and women participating in the Sax Institute’s 45 and Up Study.

Dr Mike Knapton, Associate Medical Director at the British Heart Foundation said: “This large Australian study suggests that smoking might be even more deadly than we originally thought, with current smokers estimated to die an average of 10 years earlier than non-smokers. Up to two-thirds of deaths in current smokers were attributed to smoking.

“We already know that smokers are almost twice as likely to have a heart attack compared to people who have never smoked. Quitting smoking is the single best thing you can do for your heart health and the benefits are felt almost immediately.

“Smokers stand a far better chance of quitting with support, and we would urge smokers to use the upcoming No Smoking Day on 11 March to join nearly one million people in attempting to quit.”

Quit this No Smoking Day

Nearly one in five UK adults smoke, increasing the risk of coronary heart disease, stroke and a variety of cancers.

Join the estimated one million people who will make a quit attempt this No Smoking Day and make 11 March the day you start to stop.

For information and advice on quitting smoking, visit our No Smoking Day website.

Fight for every heartbeat

British Heart Foundation is a registered Charity No. 225971. Registered as a Company limited by guarantee in England & Wales No. 699547. Registered office at Greater London House, 180 Hampstead Road, London NW1 7AW. Registered as a Charity in Scotland No. SC039426

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